Active in the Thuringian Forest

Here you will find an overview of popular circular hiking trails that take you on short to medium-length routes through the beautiful park and forest landscape directly in and around Bad Liebenstein:

• Liebenstein Castle – Rock Theater – RoundDuration: 3:54 hrs | Length: 13.5 km
• Liebenstein Castle – Altenstein Castle – RoundDuration: 2:29 hrs | Length: 8.28 km
• Altenstein Castle – Morgentor Plateau – RoundDuration: 3:30 hrs | Length: 10.5 km
• Altenstein Castle – Luisenthal Waterfall – RoundDuration: 2:27 hrs | Length: 8.53 km

You will find further hiking routes and excursion destinations in our in-house brochure in your room. You can also access detailed maps via Komoot or the city's tourism portal.

Begin this small, leisurely tour to 'warm up' directly behind our hotel. The ascent takes you over the so-called 'Balcony', from which you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view over Bad Liebenstein.

On the Burgberg you visit the historical Burgruine Liebenstein, a former hilltop castle at 460 m above sea level on the southwest slope of the Thuringian Forest. From here, the wonderful wide view reaches into the Rhön on a clear day.

We continue to the Ida Monument. This stele, designed in Gothic style, was erected in 1854 by Duke Bernhard II as a sign of gratitude to his sister. It was built from original Seeberg sandstone – the famous stone that was also used for the keep of the Wartburg and the Erfurt Cathedral. It bears a marble relief portrait of the Duchess and a quote from Karl Förster's poem: 'What has passed will not return, but if it went down shining, it will shine back for a long time.'

Then you walk on to the Rock Theater. This protected surface natural monument is an approximately 255 million year old calcareous algae reef of the Upper Permian (Zechstein reef). Weathering (karstification) created impressive cave collapses here, also known in the vernacular since the Middle Ages as 'Hohe Scheuer'. Via the Gleisdreieck you comfortably return to the hotel.

A diverse, wooded and romantic hike for enduring hikers, which starts right outside the door of the Kaiserhof.

The path first leads you towards Burgruine Liebenstein over the beautiful Burgberg to the Herzog-Georg-Quelle (also called Laus-Quelle). Georg II had this spring developed in 1872 to provide his guest house (Villa Georg) with the finest drinking water.

Via the Lohberg you continue to the mountain village of Steinbach. After a final demanding ascent up to the Dreiherrnstein you directly reach the legendary Rennsteig ridge walk at an altitude of 740 m above sea level. The cozy Waldschänke Dreiherrnstein invites you to a hearty rest with home-style cooking and a family atmosphere.

The way back leads past the Schillerbuche and a bit over the historical Messerweg downhill over the Mühlbergskopf into the Schleifkotengrund to Steinbach. Here a visit to the local history museum or the Messerstübchen is worthwhile to learn more about local knife making. Past the extensive Altenstein Park, you finally return to Bad Liebenstein.

The Werra valley is a paradise for cyclists. Along the Werra river winds a well-developed bike path, which is ideal for short family trips as well as longer day tours.

From Bad Liebenstein you reach Barchfeld after a few kilometers, where you directly meet the Werratal cycle path. Cycle downstream towards Bad Salzungen, a beautiful spa town with a graduation tower, or upstream towards Schmalkalden with its historic half-timbered town center.

The route offers flat, well-asphalted paths through green floodplains, past small lakes and through picturesque villages.

Start from the Kulturhotel Kaiserhof for an unforgettable ride into the land of open distances - the Rhön.

Your tour first takes you via Breitungen into the Werra valley and then up into the Kuppenrhön. Enjoy the winding roads that wind through small villages and open landscapes.

An absolute highlight is the ride to the Wasserkuppe (950 m), the highest mountain in the Rhön and the cradle of gliding. A breathtaking panoramic view awaits you here.

On the way back, a stop at Point Alpha is recommended, the memorial to the German division, before you return to Bad Liebenstein via Bad Salzungen.

This tour is the classic for every biker who wants to experience the Thuringian Forest in all its glory.

From the hotel you ride directly into the winding forest areas towards Ruhla and on to the legendary Inselsberg. The pass road offers driving challenges and great views.

Continue to Oberhof, the well-known winter sports center. A stop at the ski jumping hill or the Rennsteiggarten is almost obligatory here.

The return journey takes you via Schmalkalden back to Bad Liebenstein, where you can park your bike safely at the hotel and end the evening in the Kaiser's restaurant.

For guests who prefer to explore the region comfortably with their own car, this tour offers a perfect mix of culture, nature and history.

The first destination is the world-famous Wartburg in Eisenach (approx. 30 minutes away). After visiting the Luther site, you continue to the Hainich National Park, where the treetop path awaits you.

Then it's on to the residential city of Gotha with the impressive Friedenstein Castle. The tour ends relaxed in Bad Liebenstein in the late afternoon.